Share this article

'He was caught up in something that he found very difficult to get out of. It was a dreadful thing that was taking place.'

The court heard that the harrowing abuse at one point caused the children to cry 'like they could not breathe'.

A medical examination of one of the young victims showed signs of 'chronic sexual abuse', the court heard.

The trio's sustained abuse came to light after Thatcher was caught trying to meet what he thought was a 14-year-old he had spoken to over Facebook.

Mandy Wright, 28, of Ely, Cardiff, was jailed for her part in the crime, including possessing images of child sex abuse

Prosecutor Suzanne Thomas told the court that the messages became 'sexual' and they arranged to meet up.

After Thatcher arrived at the location the woman reported the matter to police.

Recorder Rees sentenced Thatcher to 26 years, Thomson to 12 years, and Wright to seven years.

Thatcher was charged with 15 offences, including rape and sexual assault of a child, and Thomson was charged with 16 counts, including sexual assault and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Wright was charged with five offences, including possessing images of child sex abuse.

The court also imposed sexual harm prevention orders on the trio.

DCI Karen Thomas, from South Wales Police, said: 'Today, Matthew Thatcher, Emily Thomson, and Mandy Wright have been given long and deserved sentences for what are abhorrent crimes which have had a devastating impact upon their victims.

'Absorbing the detail and the nature of the abuse committed by these individuals has been harrowing for even the most experienced professionals involved in the investigation.

'I would like to take this opportunity to publicly commend the bravery of the victims in this case - they have experienced things which nobody should have to endure.'

DCI Thomas said that the sentences will 'in some way' help the victims 'move forward with their lives'.

She added: 'This case really is proof that reporting suspicions and concerns to the police, the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub, or to organisations such as the NSPCC can help to put an immediate end to the suffering endured by our most vulnerable individuals, and ensure that those behind the abuse are put behind bars where they can no longer offend.'